Big Ten lets Ohio State play league title game

The Big Ten Conference dropped its sixgame minimum requirement for the league championship game Wednesday, clearing the way for No. 3 Ohio State to take on No. 15 Northwestern in another chance for the Buckeyes to burnish their playoff credentials.

The Buckeyes ( 50) will try for their fifth straight conference title when they face the Wildcats ( 51) on Dec. 19 in Indianapolis. Ohio State finished the regular season with only five games after Michigan had to pull out of Saturday’s matchup because of coronavirus issues.

The rule change had to be approved by the Big Ten Conference Administrators Council, which includes athletic directors, senior women’s administrators and presidents from all 14 schools.

“The decision was based on a competitive analysis which determined that Ohio State would have advanced to the Big Ten football championship game based on its undefeated record and headtohead victory over Indiana, regardless of a win or loss against Michigan,” the Big Ten said in a statement.

The conference determined before the season that teams would have to play six of their eight scheduled games to qualify for the championship game. Ohio State — No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings and the conference’s only undefeated team — has missed three games because of issues with the pandemic.

The latest was the annual grudge match with Michigan, which canceled its trip to Columbus because of rising virus cases and players in quarantine. Falling a game shy of the league threshold, the Buckeyes would have been outside looking in.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was “appreciative“that conference schools voted for the revision.

The ACC made a similar decision recently, guaranteeing a league title game between Clemson and Notre Dame with both teams also hoping for a CFP berth along with a conference championship.

Pac12 shuffle: Washington has paused football activities after a rise in positive virus cases within the Huskies’ program, putting in doubt the fate of its game Saturday against Oregon.

⏩ The kickoff between Utah and No. 21 Colorado in Boulder, Colo., has been moved to 9: 05 Saturday morning. The game was originally on Friday night.

More cancellations: Indiana and Purdue have canceled Saturday’s game because of an increase in virus cases at each school. It’s the first time since 1919 that the instate rivalry will not be played. ... Marshall canceled Friday’s season finale against Charlotte because of injuries and a lack of available Thundering Herd players amid virus issues.